Ready at 38 Weeks

Yep, still pregnant.

Hospital bags are packed, car seat is in, laundry is done and put away, plans are made. It's time, baby. We're ready.

I said all along I wanted to be done with Christmas preparations by Thanksgiving. I almost made it. Christmas presents are purchased and wrapped with a few still on their way. Our tree is up, the lights are out, the Christmas music plays, and the pine tree candles burn. I know it's possible to get things done after the baby comes but I am also trying to avoid any sort of panic or stress if at all possible. Honestly, I think it has just made me more excited for Christmas! We even have a sweet, cute, neutral red Christmas outfit for the baby.

I don't have an appointment again until Friday this week. I won't see my doctor, but will see another in the practive. She's actually the one who delivered Deviney, so I feel confident. I am hoping... UPON HOPE... there's news of some progress. With a long walk through the zoo Saturday, lots of nesting (cleaning, climbing, moving, organizing, etc.), and even eating some spicy food, I should think something this week would have worked. If not, we at least know 2 weeks remain until this baby comes.

Oh, wow - We will have a baby in no more than 2 weeks!

37 Weeks = Full Term!

Things to NOT say to a pregnant woman:
- "Wow! What's your due date - like, today?"
- "You look READY"
- "You must be due any minute!"
- "Don't be having that baby in here"

... unless you know she is, in fact, due today.

These are the things people - even complete strangers - have said to me for the last few weeks. I'd prefer "you look so cute!" and "you are still so tiny!". I don't care that's it's not true - I am 37 weeks pregnant and could use the lies.

I have said (eh-hem... complained) that this pregnancy is a little more uncomfortable than the first and that does not appear to be changing. For the first time in my life, actually, I am experiencing heartburn. It's not constant and it's not daily but it has happened a few times, mostly at night. I don't know what the cure is for that but I am pretty sure I'm going to say ice cream.

The greatest news this week is that I am now, officially, FULL TERM. That means the baby can come any day now and be perfectly fine outside of the womb. I say Bring It On, baby! I am a little unnerved, though, that the last few times I have been to the doctor they have asked if I am experiencing contractions yet. Um, no. Unless I don't remember what they feel like or I am simply not paying attention. It could explain why I don't seem to be progressing much with less than 3 weeks to go. At least when I went to the doctor today I was dilated to 1 cm. But that's about it. It's about time I start jumping on the trampoline while eating spicy food.

We have planned a dance party for December 10th at our house. Since that is my official due date, it's a full moon, and it was (basically) the same way labor started for Deviney, I figured it was worth a shot. If that doesn't work, then I am scheduled for induction on December 13th. I'm keeping fingers crossed that this baby wants to come earlier than that. Each day this baby waits, he/she is only increasing the chances his/her birthday presents come in Christmas wrapping paper. Now, who wants that?

Week 36: No Progress

I went to the doctor last week, which started my weekly appointments. That means the beginning of the end is near! I have 4 appointments to go, including the one I have scheduled for tomorrow morning.

When I saw the doctor, I was disappointed to find out there has been no progress thus far. No effacement, no dilation. I realize it is nothing to be concerned about since I do, technically, have about a month to go but I would like to at least feel like something is happening. When I go tomorrow I am hoping for a better update. I have busied myself this week by cleaning carpets, moving furniture, and trying to get things ready for the baby. If old wives are right, then that should help move things along.

The baby's heartbeat was 140 last week and my BP was fine. My weight gain was fine (for the 2 weeks it had been) but my overall weight gain is not something I can brag about. Gaining 26 with my first set a standard that I obviously could not maintain this time. I would love to know where all the pounds are hiding because truthfully I don't think I look any different than I did when I was pregnant with Deviney 2 years ago. Plus, I have had more people tell me in the last few weeks that I am "sooo cute!". I have to believe people don't say that to big, fat pregnant women, right?

Baby 2 seems to be doing just fine, based on the extreme movements I feel all day long. For as uncomfortable as they can sometimes be, I am already sad to think they will be gone in a few short weeks.

35 Weeks and Cankles

It really is official - I don't have any ankles. They are only slightly visible in the mornings but within an hour, they disappear. It's getting increasingly difficult to find shoes to wear since I can't get away with flip flops in November and I refuse to buy the next size up - isn't a size 10 enough?

Babycenter.com will tell you this baby weighs around 5 1/2 lbs and measures over 18 inches long. I believe my baby weighs more and is longer. I am amazed sometimes that I can feel movement in three different places at one time - in my rib, by my hip, and near my pelvis all at the same time. It's at the point now that it can be pretty painful at times. If a person across a room from me looked hard enough they would probably be able to see the baby shift sometimes from side to side. While it does sometimes seem a little "alien-like", I will concede it is still one of the most amazing and thrilling things I have ever experienced.

We are slowing getting more and more prepared for this baby to come. The car seat is washed and in the car and the hospital bag is about 1/2 packed. I have also been doubling up on some recipes and freezing some meals in preparation for the first few weeks at home. I could stand to make a few more (since about 2/3 of what I have made is soup). It probably doesn't help that about every 3 days, I ask for carry-out or dinner at a restaurant. Leftovers don't freeze well and won't feed my whole family.

I have to say, my need to "nest" is not nearly as strong as it was the first time. Either that or I am just too tired to want to. There is a lot I would like to get done at the house before the baby arrives (ie: Spring cleaning from last spring?) but I can't seem to find the motivation to do it. Between having a 2 year old, being pregnant, and the trying to prepare in advance for the upcoming holidays, I consider it an accomplishment most days that the dishes get done and laundry gets folded.

6 To Go: 34 Weeks

For some reason, saying there are only 6 weeks to go seems frightening. Now when people ask, "When are you due?" and I say December 10 the response is "Oh, wow! That's soon!" Hey, thanks. Didn't occur to me.

I went to the doctor last Thursday and will go again next Thursday, starting my weekly appointments. That's when it gets really real - checking for progress, taking measurements, etc. It's one thing to listen to a heartbeat and get your belly measured - It's a whole different story when the doctor starts to take measurements to determine how soon you might go into labor. It wont be long before we have to pack a bag, get the pack n play set up, and put the car seat base in. Fortunately, we have our plan set for who will watch Deviney when we go to the hospital. That's a whole added concern we didn't have the first time!

I read that this week fatigue may begin to set back in. There's no question about that! Most days now, I try to nap when Deviney does. Sometimes it's just 1/2 hour... sometimes it's 2. It certainly makes it hard to get things done around the house. That whole "nesting" thing isn't quite going to work out with baby #2. I have a sneaking suspicion he/she will survive :)